Senator Ted Cruz and the rest of his defund crew have consistently said that a vote for cloture on the House-passed spending bill is akin to a vote for Obamacare. But unfortunately for them, the much-anticipated votes are in and the news isnt great. As it happens, the Senate voted, 79-19, to end debate on the spending bill all but guaranteeing that the provision explicitly defunding Obamacare will be stripped -- and the amended bill eventually kicked back to the House of Representatives.

Twitchy breaks down what just happened in simplistic and easy-to-understand terms:

There were many Republicans in the Senate who voted yes on the continuing resolution, which is essentially a vote against defunding Obamacare. Exceeding 60 votes means there will be no more debate on the spending bill.

Having gotten the 60 votes means that Harry Reid will now only need a simple majority of votes in order to put the funding for Obamacare back into the spending bill.

In other words, Obamacare wont be defunded. Stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE: Senator Cruz released the following statement:

"Today's vote by Sen. Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats to fully fund Obamacare was yet the latest example of Washington not listening to the people.

"Obamacare is a 'train wreck,' a 'nightmare,' to use the words of its Democratic author and a union leader who previously supported the bill. It is the biggest job killer in America.

"As Teamsters President James Hoffa explained in a letter to Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Obamacare is hurting 'millions of working men and women ... and the families they support,' and it 'will destroy the very health and wellbeing of our members along with millions of other hardworking Americans.'

"Senate Democrats refused to listen.

"President Obama has granted exemptions for big business and Members of Congress, but Senate Democrats refuse to grant the American people the same exemption. Instead, they used political power to maintain their privileged position while doing nothing to respond to the pleas of millions of Americans.

"But this fight continues. Now the bill returns to the House. The House showed remarkable courage voting to defund Obamacare, and I hope and believe that the House will stand by their resolve and continue to lead the effort to stop the Obamacare train wreck.

"Obamacare is killing jobs, forcing people into part-time work, causing health insurance premiums to skyrocket, and threatening the healthcare of millions of Americans.

"Today, far too many Republicans joined Harry Reid in giving the Democrats the ability to fund Obamacare. When the bill comes back to the Senate, when the House yet again stands for principle and fights for the American people, I very much hope that Senate Republicans will rise to the challenge. We are stronger when we are united, and we can defeat Obamacare only if Senate Republicans come together, stand with House Republicans, and champion the millions of Americans being harmed by this disastrous healthcare law."

My problem with Cruz concerning Obamacare is the following. He doesn’t seem to understand that federal Obamacare is unconstitutional for the simple reason that the states have never delegated to Congress, via the Constitution, the specific power to regulate, tax and spend for public healthcare purposes.

Also the Tea Party should start recall effort recalling all Senators and Representatives they can. The States that do not support recall a concentrated effort should be to work towards getting a conservative Contitutionalist candidate on the ballot.

My problem with Cruz concerning Obamacare is the following. He doesnt seem to understand that federal Obamacare is unconstitutional for the simple reason that the states have never delegated to Congress, via the Constitution, the specific power to regulate, tax and spend for public healthcare purposes.

And that has stopped Obamacare? Wake up. You cannot stop the communists that are in power.

They have to start with McCain because he still has 3 more years left in office. And even if he did retire after that, we need to make a loud and clear statement. Recall Obama’s right hand man John S. McCain.

- McConnel et al voted FOR cloture
- Now they’re voting to defund
- Cloture makes it harder to do that
- So now his vote is purely symbolic... but essentially he was for it before he was against it....

25 Republicans stood shoulder to shoulder with Senator Harry Reid and President Obama to close discussion on defunding/funding ObamaCare: Alexander Ayotte Barrasso - Disappointed with him Blunt Boozman Burr Chambliss Chiesa - Boy did guy turn out to be a disappointment Coats Coburn - Mark Levin's pal proves once again that he's now PART of the establishment Cochran Collins Corker Cornyn Graham Hoeven Isakson Johanns Johnson (WI) - Et tu, Ron? Kirk - Gee, another issue where Kirk lied about being "with us". Funny how that works McCain McConnell Thune - But it doesn't matter how he votes, because he's handsome and speaks well and defeated Daschle 9 years ago. He deserves a promotion no matter what he does. Wicker

Meanwhile, the 19 who stood with Senators Cruz and Lee to keep pushing for defunding ObamaCare are: Crapo Cruz Enzi - No doubt Liz Cheney fans will claim he only did so because she's challenging him in the primary, and ignore that he's ALWAYS been a reliable vote on this issue Fischer Grassley Heller Inhofe Lee Moran Paul Portman - Still a RINO douche anyway Risch Roberts Rubio - See Portman comments Scott Sessions Shelby Toomey Vitter

Two Republican senators abstained from voting: Flake - They don't call him Flake for nothing Hatch

Liberal socialist who caucuses with Republicans but votes with the Democrats: Murkowski

Cut the crap, Enzi is one of the democrats best friends, the author of taxing the internet bill as his signature example of being conservative, the best friend of Harry Reid who will never fight for a conservative cause. The typical go along to get along Senator. He did this opposed to his normal crap in order to NOT get primaried, and for no other reason.

I had the exact same thought as I’ve been trying to contact his office without success. Pleasantly surprised, especially since he’s not up for re-election in ‘14 (and on the heels of his gay marriage fiasco).

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